Three programs designed to help youth received grants from Legacy Health System's Community Health Fund. The grants went to Self-EnhancementInc.'s Academy and Kiddazzle programs, and the Nulites program sponsored by the Urban League of Portland.

The SEI Academy and Kiddazzle programs will receive a three-year grant of $175,000.

The SEI Academy, a public charter middle school, will use the money to help the students who will be entering the eighth grade. The academy's sixth and seventh grades have a total of 98 students this year, but the total is expected to increase to 150 when the eighth grade gears up next year.

The educational structure includes active learning and longer periods of learning time; integrated curriculum around common themes across subject areas; community service; and an individual success plan developed for each student. SEI's Kiddazzle program provides free dental services to SEI students of all grade levels. To qualify, students must have never been to a dentist, have no dental insurance, have inadequate dental insurance or have a dental emergency. Sixteen volunteer dentists provide appointments in their own offices two to three times a month during school hours. Services include checkups, cleaning, cavity filling, capping broken teeth, root canals and orthodontia. The program runs during the school year and, in 2004, served 190 students.

SEI recruits and builds relationships with the dentists, provides transportation to the dental offices, arranges logistics with schools and parents, educates parents regarding dental health and provides incentives and meals for student patients.

SEI proposes to expand the Kiddazzle coordinator position to full time, double the number of students served (with the long-term goal to serve all students in need) and build the network of volunteer dentists to serve families and students. The Urban League of Portland's Nulites program received a one-year grant of $30,000. The program promotes academic achievement, leadership development and career preparation among African American high school students who are not achieving their full potential.

Nulites students are offered academic support, one-on-one mentoring, educational and career awareness workshops, recreational and team-building activities, job shadowing and internship opportunities. The program also maintains weekly contact with parents via telephone, home visits and quarterly parent/family events.

During the 2005 pilot year, 15 freshman students at Roosevelt High School are expected to participate. In the second year, 25 students and the third year, 35 students will be served. Students will participate in Nulites from their freshman year through their first year of post-secondary education. The Urban League also plans to expand the program to other inner city high schools in Portland.

For more information on Legacy's Community Health Fund, call 503-415-5725.